watching the game tonight! how embarassing! the lfc way has gone. to improve, we need a quality left back (insua is too vulnerable), proper right mid/winger, proper left mid/winger. Lucas isn't good enough. ngog isn't god enough. nor is babel in the pos he plays. lille have just scored! it gets worse. Rafa needs to stop messing around with playing players out of position (mascherano at LB v wigan! for eg). give some reservers a chance eg pacheco, kelly etc. there's nothing to lose now, fourth place has gone and we're unlikely to even reach the final of the eufa cup. time is ticking for Rafa. but, lfc will never walk alone!
Keens | 2010-02-06 16:44:16
| Johannesburg | South Africa
Hi Guillem,
I am not sure how many questions you will get regarding Mascherano's future but after his passionate displays lately, I'm sure every Liverpool fan would like to know if he is one of that players that will leave at the end of the season, perhaps to Barca. We love Javier, so hopefully you could shed some light on this issue. I was thinking with Maxi coming maybe Javier has had a change of heart? It certainly looks like it out on the pitch, he was immense in the derby!
JayLFC | 2010-01-31 22:45:49
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Matt and PB
You are missing the point about not living in the city, of course l'pool needs fans all over the world and it has this global fan base from the history of the club.
My point was that, PB, and others who live outside the city seem to think rafa has lost the fans, i can assure u this is not the case.
If your main source of media is from the south then the press they give liverpool is sometimes beyond a joke.
So what i was saying is, dont try and say rafa has lost the fans when in the city there is a different atmosphere than what is being fed from down south.
Tell us your own views but dont try and make out you know what is happening from the other end of the country!!
Matt | 2010-01-31 18:59:00
| london | United Kingdom
Hi Guillem,
could you clarify what's going on with Rafa and Juve?
Cheers.
matt | 2010-01-31 16:14:59
| London | United Kingdom
I agree with PB... This notion that if you don't live adjacent to the ground then you're not a fan is absolutely ridiculous. For us to be one of the top clubs in the world, then we need fans from China, Africa -- all over the place. People like Scully though, think they're above every other fan and so can talk down to the fans who don't live in a tent on Anfield's pitch. It's such a nonsense, backwards view of things. If I ever meet another Liverpool fan, there's an instant connection. And that's what being a group of fans is about. I would also like to make the point that last time I was in the Kop, no one gave a hoot that I was from London and were so friendly to me and my mate.
Peter | 2010-01-31 14:19:06
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Hi guillem,
Any pre deadline day moves you think might happen?
Tony | 2010-01-31 14:13:29
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Hi Guillem,
Just wanted your thoughts on this below & in his press his pre-match interview friday he didn't rule a move out he just side stepped the question?
Juventus Agree Terms With Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez - Report
Juventus have reportedly agreed terms with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, with the Spaniard set to take charge of the Serie A side from the start of next season.
According to the Independent, Juventus’ lawyers are due in England on Sunday for talks about releasing Benitez from his current Anfield contract
PB | 2010-01-31 11:25:57
| High Wycombe | United Kingdom
I just wanted to defend myself against those such as Jay LFC and Scully who presume that because I do not currently live in the city of Liverpool I must have no association with the city or knowledge of the club. This view does you both great discredit. Despite living 'down south' I spent my first 18 years in Liverpool and my parents still live there.
More to the point, consider that Liverpool FC wants to expand their commercial operations so that it compete with its rivals. This means the club has to sell e-tickets, shirts, and the rest to people from all over the globe. What are you saying? That people from outside the city are only good for filling the clubs coffers and should refrain from expressing any opinions. How unpleasant.
Matt | 2010-01-31 10:35:40
| London | United Kingdom
Scully, you have no divine right to slag off over people on this site. I am a liverpool fan. I've been to Anfield on numerous occasions whenever I am in a financial position to travel down.
I did want Rafa to stay but the FACT is, instead of cutting the story off by its legs. Rafa snuggled up to Juventus. After all these weeks of fan support - he still played the story up.
BTW - The independant - hardly known for it's nonsense stories reports that Rafa has already agreed terms with Juve.
Scully | 2010-01-30 21:07:40
| liverpool | United Kingdom
You obviously have to be a complete Plank to write some of the drivel comments I have just read.
Most, if not all of you have probably never been to Anfield .And probably read the C**p that is normally in the good old UK tabloids.
If you are going to slag off Rafa ,please back it up with facts,not just the same rubbish the said tabloids roll out.
Most so called Liverpool fans who write in some of these forums are not worthy of the name Liverpool supporters.
Ps,Thanks Guillem,here is one person who hopes Rafa stays.
YNWA
Mike | 2010-01-30 18:46:05
| Macclesfield | United Kingdom
Fair point Eric, but nevertheless, if Liverpool did finish outside the top 4 & Man City did finish 4th say - it may make life more difficult if they were chasing the same player. Great players can be very hard to come by.
You would expect however, if we went after a spanish player (Villa) he would choose us becase of Rafa.
Also, the board at Man City will just go after the hyped up players & pay ridiculous prices for them.
matt | 2010-01-30 18:38:22
| london | United Kingdom
Sorry, bad move at the press conference Rafa... A lot of fans, like myself were in full support of him... we all understand what he's having to deal with but for me- by teasing that he could join Juventus - he's lost my support. I couldn't care less if he left now. Thanks Rafa, for all the talk of you loving the club, you still couldn't help but glance an eye over to Italy. You said if you didn't say that we could reach top 4 then who else would believe it. Now,Rafa, if you can't even shoot down these rumours, why should our top players do the same when clubs come calling.Thanks for 2005, 2006. Thanks for rebuilding our club. But I feel it's time for you to go. This year has been a disgrace and your decisions lost us the title last year.
Reds69 | 2010-01-30 18:37:34
Glad to hear it, Guillem. Those who want Rafa gone are know-nothings who clearly haven't a clue about anything to do with football. Rafa has done incredible things for this club. Those who want to judge his whole tenure on the basis of one bad start to the season are as daft as they are short-sighted. The SUPPORTERS are behind Rafa. Only the internet idiots aren't.
Eric | 2010-01-30 17:45:09
| Vienna | Austria
@ Mike
I'm not sure, that playing "only" the Europa League would turn away many players. I think in the end it all depends on the project and money you offer. Remember, Ronaldinho signed for Barça playing UEFA Cup, Ribery signed for Bayern playing UEFA Cup,...
Mike | 2010-01-30 15:23:36
| Macclesfield | United Kingdom
Maybe so Guillem, but if Liverpool fail to land 4 th spot, it will be mighty difficult to sign players up to a Europa League club (as well as holding on to the few great players we have). The investment will come 1 year too late, this year was the perfect time to build up the team.
We now have to go backwards to go forwards yet again !
It's very frustrating, but I do believe if Rafa was finally given the same funds as the top teams, he would lead us to glory!!
It's another waiting game though.
SM | 2010-01-30 09:02:14
Don't believe this for a second. With all the debt already on the club plus double PLUS to build a new stadium in 4 years, what makes you think they will be able to also provide Rafa or any other manager who comes after him the funds to compete with the top clubs in England and Europe with so much debt? We're looking at 6 years down the line to generate enough revenue from a new stadium to be somewhat competitive.
This is all an exercise in PR using Guillem. Talk is cheap Guillem. No dignity, no class and no money from G&H.
Oye Guillen. Te hablaron bonito y nada mas. Es extremadamente inocente creerle una palabra a estos tipos. Oye que los fans no somos idiotas eh.
JayLFC | 2010-01-30 02:59:37
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
cont...
I cant believe the critisism rafa an the team get, is every1 so blind to see the progress the team has made under rafa to this season and the constant disruptions that have stopped the progression this year.
The team isnt playing too good at the minute but bad fans like PB doesnt help the situation.
Everyone always says we are such a negative team, how can a negative team be last seasons top scorers and we were this seasons top scorers until after the hull game when gerrard an torres got injured while away on international and the team has suffered setbacks ever since. For all the PB's and Alans on this site, there are thousands who are behind rafa and the team. PB, get urself the game some time and see wot the fans really think!
JayLFC | 2010-01-30 02:53:14
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
PB
Stop talkin rubbish, and dont be saying l'pool fans will make the decisions because you are from High Wycombe and so are like the national press who havent got a clue about what the people in the city think.
There are going to be some people who start to turn but I can tell you, there is not fans turning against rafa like you would have us believe from your computer somewhere down south.
Its funny how most of the people who comment about Rafa starting to lose the fans are the ones who arent from the city, ill be at the game 2mora supporting rafa an the boys like every1 should be doing.
Alan | 2010-01-29 23:30:09
PB is exactly correct. Benitez will be judged on results on the field - not the suits he coseys up to in the directors box. We have been told endlessly the board of Liverpool are incompetent and now we should think them "level headed" because they don't care how bad things are on the field of play?
Rafa won't last 2 seasons at Juventus without a Serie A title. He has lasted 6 at Anfield and not won a Premier League, not anything in the last 4 years if he doesn't win the Europa.
Get on the plane to Turin in June Rafa before you turn into a hate figure. Because you will if performances remain so rubbish.
LFC Danny | 2010-01-29 22:39:48
| Cork | Ireland
Do you know of David Villa might be joining Liverpool in the summer? The owners have said there will be big signings in the summer, Villa has been talking about his friends at Liverpool recently, Torres said last week Liverpool should sign him and apparently Maxi wanted the no. 7 but wasn't allowed it and that is Villa's number. Do you think it could happen?
PB | 2010-01-29 19:11:54
| High Wycombe | United Kingdom
continues ...
not rich enough to support this transfer aproach.
As a result I believe that the fans will take any decision on Rafa's management out of the clubs hands. And this is likely to happen this summer.
PB | 2010-01-29 19:09:41
| High Wycombe | United Kingdom
continues ...
2) Incompatibility with the club's historic attacking ethos -
unfortunately, Benitez has continued to erode the LFC reputation for attacking football (a process started by Houllier). Over a period of years he has shown a strong aversion to risk that is simply unacceptable to most Liverpool supporters. The recent line-ups he chose for the Stoke and Wigan matches can be interpreted as a suicide note in my view.
3) Poor communication skills - this is a significant weakness in any manager in any profession, whether we are talking about football, retail or IT. Rafa clearly has poor man-management skills, which forces him to recycle disillusioned players faster than most other managers. Liverpool is simply not rich ...
PB | 2010-01-29 19:02:18
| High Wycombe | United Kingdom
continues ...
I have been a staunch Benitez supporter for many years but even I have now decided that he is not the man to take the club forward irrespective of the limitations placed on the club by its large debts.
Here is why I think Benitez must leave the club:
1) Inability to learn from mistakes - Despite being heralded for his tactical sophistication, Rafa has shown little ability to set up teams for success in the EPL. In particular his perserverance with two defensive holding midfielders against inferior opposition consistently fails to deliver.
Amar | 2010-01-29 18:58:24
oh god, we should not be convincing him to stay! if he were to leave, I would personally book a first class ticket and hire a limo to take him to the airport!
Simple fact is the man has spent over 200m and his buys have not been good enough, his defensive tactics of using two ball winners who could not pass forward to save their lives is beyond sanity (especially since he refuses to use a playmaker in cm to get our passing game going). I really hope he goes, the owners should spend some of the money to bring in new staff to move this club forward
PB | 2010-01-29 18:49:52
| High Wycombe | United Kingdom
Hi Guillem,
I think your latest article misses the point a little. The decision as to whether Rafa stays or goes will most probably not be in his (or the LFC board's) to make.
Despite the fan reaction at Anfield for the Tottenham game it should be obvious to everyone that fan reactions to Benitez are hardening against him and it has already reached the point where a substantial minority have now made up their minds about him and his approach to the game of football.
Rafa often refers to how intelligent the Liverpool fans are. He is right and we can't be blindsided by compliments.
continues ....
Jaymc | 2010-01-29 16:06:06
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Hi Guillem and co,
This rumour gives us slight hope, but i dont believe word off it unless we go out and spend big in the summer the club is doomed long term we need stadium but why break up the current team by selling them one by one to buy new stadium, how many people will turn up for an fa cup replay against reading in new stadium with recent form, lack off investment the club has showed the last 12 months 25 thousand, that would leave 40 thousand empty seats,
Us the fans the normal working class fan cant take it anymore, so if you could provide more details on investment that would be great or you may have been brain washed by the yanks.
Peter | 2010-01-29 13:12:00
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Hi Guillem,
Could you give us anymore info on players & areas that might be getting looked at,also budgets if investment does come in & if not..
If any of the main players will go and how long is this long term plan going to take because its been 6years and if 3 or 4 new players come in the summer then they need time to get to grips with the prem and that depends on what players come.....
SteLFC | 2010-01-29 13:06:46
| Liverpool | United Kingdom
Guillem, I would love to think we will have serious investment and buy the riberys/villa's/silva's/fabregas's of the world in the summer, however, I just cant see it. The yanks are here until they can build the stadium, and then sell it to the club. Even if a sheikh did buy the club, and we had £200m to spend this summer (fat chance) we are still competing with Man City/R. Madrid/ Barca / Mancs / Chelsea. And we may not even have Champions League. So we end up spending the money on Kenwyne Jones, Arda Turan, Chamaks/Janovics signing on fee's and Gareth Bale etc. (cant wait!) Regardless of what players we have, Rafa will still only have one plan, will expect players to be ultra defensive. Answer? Guus Hiddink to rejuvenate r current plyrs
Len | 2010-01-29 12:31:51
Guillem, would you care to expand on this "longterm strategy"? Some finer details maybe? Transfer budgets / policy? Use of Academy and reserve team players?
Chaitanya | 2010-01-29 12:27:48
| India
Hi guillem , Thanx alot for this feed back .Its very nice to hear that rafas vision is same as the board . I seriously hope there is some investment into the playing squad . This squad needs more depth and some quality additions if we are to win the premier league .Hope this investment comes soon . YNWA
YDN | 2010-01-29 12:20:29
| LUTON
How could anybody excuse the pitiful display against Wolves?.Does anyone still think that Aquilani is worth £20 million?.The club is a complete mess on and off the pitch.
